Traverse rod



Feb. 13, 1945. J. N. GRABER TRAVERSE BoD Filed May 14, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNvENTo'H, JOHN MGR/ABER Feb. 13, 1945. J. N. GRABER 2,359,227

TRAVERSE ROD Filed May 14, 1943 22 Sheets-Sheet 2 f ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 13, 1945 2,369,227v l l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAvERsE non John N. Graber, Madison, Wis.

Application May 14, 1943, Serial No. 486,934

' l s claims. (c1. 16o-s45) This invention appertains to drapery rods and more particularly to a novel transverse rod for supporting a pair of drapes or curtains for traveling movement across a window or similar opening.

One of the primary objects `cf my invention is to provide novel means for constructing the rod and fo-r supporting the drapes from the rod whereby the drapes can be carried at a point slightly spaced from their upper ends so that the rod will be hidden from View by said drapes.

Another salient object of my invention is to provide novel means for forming the rod whereby the same can be effectively fabricated from wood and thereby eliminate the use of essential war material. y

A further important object of my invention is to provide novel means for associating the pull slides for the' drapes with the rear face of the rod, whereby not only will the slides be easy to operate, but whereby the slides andthe pull cords will be hidden from view.

A further important' object of my invention is the provision of novel means for connectingthe drapes or curtains with the rod and with the pull slides whereby not only will a simple and durable construction be had, but whereby the rod itself will be completely hidden from view by the upper ends of said drapes or curtains.

A still further important object of my invention is the provision of means whereby the drapery rod can be economically formed from metal and whereby a strong, sturdy and. compact structure will be had.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings: l

Figure 1 is a top plan View of my improved rod showing a pair of drapes or curtains supported thereby.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the rod taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the rod and its appurtenances on an enlarged scale with parts thereof broken away and in section.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the rod taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking nin the direction of the arrows and illustrating one novel meansfor connecting the drapes or curtains with the pull slide.

y the pull cords, with the rod.

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the means for connecting the outer ends of the drapes or curtains with the supporting brackets around the ends of the rod.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail top plan views illustrating the means for connecting the pull slides with the pull cords. y

Figure 10 is a detail diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the pull cord.

Figure l1 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through a modified form of my traverse rod, the section being taken substantially on the line lI-II of Figure l2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional View through the modiiied form of rod taken on the line I2-l 2 of .Figure l1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view taken through the end of the rodon the line l3-l3 of Figure 11. y

i Figure 14 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on the line Ill- I4 of Figure 11 illustrating one means for connecting drapes or curtains with one of the pull slides.

Figure 15 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on the line l5|5 of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows showing one means for slidably connecting an intermediate part of the drape or curtain with the rod.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference vcharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views the letter R generally indicates my novel' drapery traverse rod and the same includes a solid main rod section or bar 2U.

This main rod section or bar 29 is formed from a length of wood stock and the upper edge thereof is provided vwith a longitudinally extending groove 2| for the reception of the pull cord 22. This rod 20 can be made in various lengths for different width windows or 4the rod can be cut at the time of installation to suit a particular window'or door opening. .After l the rod section 20 has been cut to size, theends thereof can be closed by detachable wood, caps or terminal pieces 23 and 24. The cap 24 can be secured` in place by fastening elements such asI nails or brads 25. The cap 23 forms a support for the upper and lower pulleys 26 and 21 for the stretches of the pull cord 22. The pulley 28 for the intermediate portion of the pull cord can be carried by the rod section adjacent the cap 24.`

The cap 23 is detachably held in place on the rod section 2|) by means of a screw 29. .The cap 24 i can be associated with the rod section at the time of the'installing of the rod and when the rod has been cut to` suit. It is also preferred t0 make the pulleys 26, 2'| and 28 from wood and thesepulleys can be mounted on transversely extending pivots 30 which can be inthe nature of nails.

Referring to the pull cord 22, it will be noted that the same is made lfrom a single length and that they same is first trained abo-ut the pulley f 2B and is -laid in the groove 2| withlonegstretch` trained over the pulley 26 and the other stretch a front plastic facing stripy 34 is utilizedl and a top rear plastic strip 35 is employed. These plastic strips 34 and 35. can be made in kany desired colors and the front strip 34 (see Figures 4 and 5) is of a substantially C shape in cross section is merely snapped over the front face of the rod. The plastic strip 35 yis of a substantially U shape in cross section and is snapped over the upper edge of the rod (see Figures 3, 4,. and), to cover that portion of the top ofthe rod dened by the rail face of the rod and vone inner wall ofthe groove 2|. 'I he strips extend from one end oftherod to the other and cover the rod completely from the end caps or terminals 23 and 24.

As stated above, one of the important functions of the plastic strips 34 `and 35 is to providea smooth, anti-friction surface for the drape slides 32, and 33 to ride on. These strips 34 and 35 give a` smooth, finished surface to the rod. and the catching of the slides or the drapes themselves on the wood is prevented.

In using this wood type of -rod in said brackets. The brackets also function to effectively hold the front plastic strip. l34-in place.

Referring more specifically to the slides 32 and 33 (see Figures 8 and 9), it will be notedl that rod, wooden brackets' 36 and 31 are utilizedand these brackets can be the same are formed 'from flat pieces o-f plastic i and that each of the slides are provided with la central transversely extending opening 3S and T shaped end slots 40. These slides rest on the top of the barror rod section20 -and against the upper surfaces of the plastic strips 34 and 35. One of rthe slides is fastened to one stretch ofthe pull cord 22 andthe other slide4 is fastened to the other stretch of the pull cord. This isl clearly shown in Figure lO, of the drawings. The slides arereasily fastened to the ystretches .of the pull cord by simply looping these stretches and pulling the loops through the opening 3,9'and then placing the loops 4,over thel slides. 'M 'lhe method of attaching the slides tothe puh cords is clearly illustrated in Figures 8 and 9.

According to my invention, it is proposed to sew loops 4| to the sections 42 and 43 of the drapes or curtains at spaced points and the rod section 20 is trained through these loops at the time of the rod installation. These tapes or loops 4| are sewed to the inner faces of the drapes or curtain sections slightly below the upper edge of said drapesA or curtains. Hence the drapes or curtains are Supported by the rodsection slightly below the upper ends of the drapesor curtains and thus the drapes or curtains extend in frontof the bar or main rod section. This completely hides the front of the rod to View. The innermost loops 4| of the drape or curtain are attached to the slides32 and 33 and this is easily accom plished by slipping the tapes in theopen ends of the slots 40 so that the tapes will restin the transverse portions of said slots 4|). This rprovides a convenient and easy'means for connecting the inner ends of the drape or curtain sections to the slides. As these slides and loops ,4|v rest on the. plastic strips 34 and 35 an anti-friction surface is provided for the tapes and slides. By pulling on either end ofthe pull cord 22.the drape or curtain sections can be moved, toward and yaway from one another. To completely hide the ends of the drapery rod, itis proposed to connect drapery hooks 44 withv the outer-most loops 4 of the curtain ordrape sections and the/Shanksl of these hooks, will then lbe inserted in openings 45 formed in the supporting brackets 36 andv 3l. This is best yshown in Figures land '7- Some of the important'features of my'invention can be employed in a simple form of.meta,l. lic rod and this form of my invention is illustrated in Figures ll to 15 inclusive. The metal drapery rod is generally indicated by the letter1 M and includes a mainr rod section 5i! formed from sheet metal having a substantially C shape in cross section. This rodsection can be cut to suit the width ofthe opening andthe front face thereof can be covered yby a plastic strip 5 i, which is also of a C shape, in cross` section. This plastic stripV 5| is simply snappedfover the metal rod. After the rod hasbeen cut to suit, the ends of the same have snugly` iitted therein end pieces 52 which are of a Ufshape incross section. These end pieces 52 canl be readily stamped from, sheet metal andbent into shape. One ofthe end pieces carries, a guide pulley4 or roller 53 lfor the 'inter-A mediate part of a pull cord 54 and theother 4end piece can carry pulleys 55. One-stretchfoffthe pull cord is trained about one pulley 55y andthe other stretch is trained vabout the other. pulley. Metal brackets 56 can besecured to the Vwall for receiving thefends of thel rod and the ends ofV the rod' are fitted in said brackets and can lbe profvided with openings 57 'for the reception of studs 58 forming a nari; of said brackets 55.

Slidablyv mounted within the metal rod section 5|] are slides 59 and '55 of like construction Each of these slides include a U shaped body6| Y having outwardly extending flanges 62 on their side walls which bear against fthe inner. surface of the metal rod section. Y

The draperyvor curtain sections have .sewed theretov at a point slightly spaced 'from their upper edges'loops 63 formed from tapes andthe rod is slid through` these tapes and the tapes support the `drapes and slide on, the rod.,."'I,`he inner-most tapes canbe-connected to the slides 59 andy 60 by drapery pins 647A.; A'The points of the l drapery-pinsfcan be insertedinl said: tapeswer directly in the hem of the drapes and the hook portions of the pins are placed over the rodswith the shanks thereof in openings 65 formed in said slides 59 and 60. Hence, upon the pulling on the ends of the pull cord the drape or curtain sections Will be pulled toward or away from one another.

In this form of my invention the drapery pins and the fabric loops also rest and slide on the plastic strip. While I have stated thatthe inner faces of the drape or curtain sections have loops 63 sewed thereto, as this is preferred, obviously these loops can be dispensed With and the drapery pins can be inserted in thel hems. of the drapes with the hook parts placed over the upper edge of the rod.

The slides 59 and 60 are,` of course, secured to different stretches of the pull cord 54 and clamping screws 66 can be employed for this purpose.

I layA particular stress on that form of my invention shown in Figures 1l to 15 inclusive as, obviously,` when the rod is formed from metal I can obtain an exceptionally simple, compact and sturdy construction with all of 'the advantages of my invention.

In a metal rod construction I can make the same from telescoping sections, so that the rod can b-e shortened `or lengthened at will.

Varioustypes of features can be utilized for supporting my novel rod and in fact the rod can be used advantageously with my drapery cranes shown in my June 8, 1943.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an' exceptionally simple and durable form of transverse rod for supporting drapes and that the drapes are carried in such a manner that the rods are completely hidden from view.

Changes in details may be made Without de-` parting from the spirit or the scope of my invention, but what I claim as new is:

1. In a traverse rod for supporting drapesand the like comprising a main rod section provided in one face with a pull cord receiving passage way,` terminal caps carried by the ends of the rod section provided with pulleys for the pull cord, slides supported by said rod section, means for connecting the stretches of the pull cord to the slides, means for connecting the upper inner ends of the drapes to said slides the upper, outer corners of said drapes being extended around the terminal caps, and means connecting theup- .per, outer corners of the drapes in rear of said Caps.

prising a main rod section having a longitudi- `Patent No. 2,321,196 issued to me 5 and end T shaped slots for nally extending Way for a pull cord, end caps detachably carried by the terminals of the rod section closing the ends of said way, pulleys for the pull cord carried by said end caps, slides on said rod connected With the stretches of the pull cord and means for connecting the slides to the inner upper corners of the drapes,` and a detachable plastic strip fitted over the front face of said main rod section to provide a` smooth bearing surface for said slides.

`3. A supporting rod for'drape's, lcurtainsand pair of pulleys, a, pull cord tted in said Way hav-` ing an intermediate portion thereof trained about the single pulley carried by one end cap and its stretches trained over the pulleys carried by the other end cap, drapery slides on the upper edge of the rod section, meansdetachably connecting' one stretch of the pull cord to one slide and the other stretch of the pull cord to the other slide for holding the slides against the upper face of the rod section, and means detachably connecting a slide With the upper inner corners of each drape to be supported, a plastic strip tted over the iront face ofthe rod section having its upper edge extending into the way, a second plastic strip fitted on said rod section with a portion thereof extending into the Way and over the top of the rod section, said slides beingsli`d able on said plastic strips and said plastic strips forming an anti-friction `bearing surface for said slides.

4. A traverse rod for supporting drapes com` prising a main body section of `a C shape in cross section, end caps fitted in the terminals of the rod section, one of said end caps carrying a single pulley and the other of said end caps carrying a pair of pulleys, a pull cord disposed Within said main rod section having an intermediate portion. trained about the single pulley carried byone end cap and its stretches trained over the pair of pulleys carried by the other end cap, slides 'car-` ried yby the rear face of the rod section having iianges disposed in said rod section, means detachably connecting the stretches of the pull cord the drape suspension means.

5. In a supporting rod for drapes, curtains and the like, a slide for supporting drapes from the rod comprising a flat, rectangular shaped body k having an intermediate opening for a pull-cord porting means.

6.. In a, traverse rod for supporting drapesya slide for supporting drapes from the roolA comprising a flat, rectangular body piece having a central opening for receiving a part of a drape pull cord and T shaped end slots for detachably receiving an intermediate partof drape supporting loops.`

VJoHN N. GRABER.

receiving drapery sup- 

